Five people arrested for tagging whitewashed 5 Pointz building

A group of people were taken into custody for writing “RIP 5 Pointz” on the institution's walls, and three were charged

The artworks at 5 Pointz were painted over with white early on the morning of November 19Photographer: Lauren Spinelli

Two days after Long Island City art and graffiti palace 5 Pointz was painted over, five people were arrested for tagging the whitewashed space. DNAinfo reports the NYPD apprehended five people for writing "RIP 5 Pointz" on the soon-to-be-destroyed walls in marker last night; of the group taken into custody, some of whom were teenagers, three were charged and released with tickets to appear in court at a later date.

It looks like the iconic art space will be demolished by the end of the year, despite a lengthy battle to save it, including a last-ditch lawsuit under the Visual Artists Rights Act. After last night's events, 5 Pointz asked on Twitter that people refrain from tagging the building and said they must find a different way for fans to say goodbye.

5 kids arrested at 5 pointz for writing rip messages with markers on walls that are to be destroyed ! Nypd in loading dock under cover